Vented fireplace construction

Abstract

A vented wood or gas-log fireplace is formed from a sheet metal member bent to form side and rear panels. A pair of spaced apart sheet metal plates are connected between the side panels and have rear edges spaced from the rear panel. The rear edges of the plates are bent to form lips extending in a direction toward the opposite plate. Bracket members are secured to the plates adjacent the side panels. A rear refractory member is positioned between the plates in engagement with the lips, and side refractory panels are positioned in abutment with a respective side sheet metal panel and held in place by the bracket members, the side ceramic panels abutting the rear ceramic panel at the sides thereof. A top panel is fastened to the top edges of the side panels above the top plate and a conduit extends through the top plate with the top panel to communicate the combustion chamber with an exhaust pipe or chimney. An air duct is formed between the top panel and the top plate, and a front face assembly having upper and lower grids permits air to flow beneath the lower plate, upwardly between the rear ceramic panel and the rear sheet metal panel, and over the upper plate, below a top panel, the front face assembly having rearwardly extending ledges which provide support for the plates adjacent the front edges thereof.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fireplace comprising an outer enclosure having first and second spaced apart sheet metal side panels and a rear sheet metal panel connected to and separating said side panels at the rear of said side panels, a pair of substantially horizontally disposed spaced apart sheet metal plates within said outer enclosure connected to and extending from said first side panel to said second side panel, said plates having respective rear edges spaced from said rear sheet metal panel, the upper plate being spaced below upper edges of said first, second and rear sheet metal panels, a top panel secured to said side panels and said rear panel above said upper plate, said upper plate and said top panel having respective apertures extending therethrough and in substantial alignment, a conduit disposed in communication with said apertures, a first ceramic refractory panel having a size and shape for abutting said first side panel between said plates and having a rear edge terminating at the rear edges of said plates, a second refractory panel having a size and shape for abutting said second side panel between said plates and having a rear edge terminating at the rear edge of said plates, holding means for holding each ceramic refractory panel in substantial abutment with the respective sheet metal side panel with substantially no air space therebetween, a third ceramic refractory panel disposed intermediate and in abutment with said first and second ceramic panels at the location of the rear edges thereof, and locating means associated with each plate for positioning said third ceramic panel firmly in place at the location of the rear edges of said plates spaced from said rear sheet metal panel, whereby a combustion chamber is formed intermediate the lower plate and the upper plate and products of combustion may exhaust through said conduit. 
     
     
       2. A fireplace as recited in claim 1, wherein said holding means comprises upstanding bracket members fastened to each of said plates spaced from a respective side panel by an amount substantially equivalent to the thickness of a ceramic panel. 
     
     
       3. A fireplace as recited in claim 1, wherein said locating means comprises a lip formed at the rear edge of each plate, the lip on the lower panel extending upwardly, and the lip on the upper panel extending downwardly. 
     
     
       4. A fireplace as recited in claim 3, wherein s aid holding means comprises upstanding bracket members fastened to each of said plates spaced from a respective side panel by an amount substantially equivalent to the thickness of a ceramic panel. 
     
     
       5. A fireplace as recited in claim 4, wherein said sheet metal panels comprise a unitary member. 
     
     
       6. A fireplace as recited in claim 1, wherein the lower plate is spaced above lower edges of said first, second and rear sheet metal panels, and baffles secured to the upper surface of said upper plate and extending rearwardly into engagement with said rear sheet metal panel, said baffles having upper edges substantially at the same elevation as the upper edges of said first, second and rear sheet metal panels said top panel being disposed on the upper edges of said baffles and at least the upper edge of said rear plate to form an air passageway below said lower plate, behind said third ceramic panel and over said upper plate below said top panel. 
     
     
       7. A fireplace as recited in claim 6, wherein said holding means comprises upstanding bracket members fastened to each of said plates spaced from a respective side panel by an amount substantially equivalent to the thickness of a ceramic panel. 
     
     
       8. A fireplace as recited in claim 7, wherein said locating means comprises a lip formed at the rear edge of each plate, the lip on the lower panel extending upwardly, and the lip on the upper panel extending downwardly. 
     
     
       9. A fireplace as recited in claim 8, wherein said sheet metal panels comprise a unitary member.